Areas of Practice

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Education Law

With extensive experience in Education Law, Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has built an excellent reputation in providing general counsel, and labor and employment counsel services for Boards of Education throughout the State of New Jersey. Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley also has experience in the area of contract negotiation for union and non-union employees including but not limited to employment contracts for Superintendents of Schools, Assistant Superintendents of Schools, Architectural Contracts, Business Administrators, Food Service Contracts, and various non-personnel related contracts. Appearances before the Office of Administrative Law in tenure hearings, residency hearings, special education matters, non-tenured Petitions of Appeal and expulsion matters. Appearances before the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) in Unfair Labor Practice complaints, Superior Court litigation involving bid challenges contract interpretation, and various Orders to Show Cause.

The firm also represents boards in district-wide expulsions, increment withholdings, labor negotiations, fact findings,arbitrations, School Construction disputes and other types of litigation.

The firm has appeared in court on matters ranging from students charged with criminal offenses, petitions of appeals for teachers and/ or administrators charged with corporal punishment, criminal offenses, tenure hearings for insufficiency, incompetence, conduct unbecoming a teaching staff member, excessive absenteeism, tenure rights following a reduction in force, contract disputes between administrators and the board of education and other related matters.

Our Clients:

Irvington Board of Education General Counsel and Labor Counsel Newark Public Schools Special Counsel

The firm of Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has extensive experience in the areas of construction and public contracts, housing and development and all areas of tenancy. In addition, the firm is knowledgeable in the area of Hope VI. The firm also has extensive experience in the areas of bid challenges, review of contracts and specifications for legal sufficiency, and legal opinions regarding public bidding and Title 59 of the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. The firm is also familiar with HUD regulations governing Public Housing Authorities and the proposed changes in HUD’s admissions and occupancy policy. The firm is also knowledgeable in the specialized area of Asset

For most people, understanding criminal law is based upon hearsay or what people see on TV, movies, etc. The experience is extremely different when someone becomes personally involved in the criminal justice system—reality sets in and comes into focus. The need for information and assistance is important in these circumstances. Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has successfully represented clients in Municipal Court, Superior Court and Federal Court in all types of criminal matters. The firm is committed to the defense of people charged with criminal offenses. The law mandates that all persons charged with criminal offenses are innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. At Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley we vigorously defend all types of cases. Our services have resulted in dismissals of indictments and acquittals in bench and jury trials in cases ranging from homicides, attempted murders, aggravated assaults, drug cases, armed robberies, conspiracies, and reasonable pleas for persons seeking an opportunity to resolve their cases in light of their involvement in criminal activities. A portion of the practice is also dedicated to appeals.

Civil Rights & Employment Litigation

“Civil rights” are the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment (and to be free from unfair treatment or “discrimination”) in a number of settings including, but not limited to, education, employment, housing, and certain legally-protected characteristics. Every employee is entitled to protections under a number of Federal and State employment and anti-discrimination laws. Given the wide variation in State employment and anti-discrimination laws, it is important that your lawyers understand the employment laws in your State as well as Federal Law and procedure. Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has an extensive civil rights/employment litigation practice. The firm has represented individuals for claims against employers for race discrimination, age discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, failure to promote claims, Americans Against Disability claims and other employment related claims. The firm has also successfully defended charges of racial discrimination in the workplace, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination on behalf of employers. Our extensive experience on the side of plaintiff’s and defendant’s gives the firm a unique perspective which inures to the benefit of our clients.

Construction Law & Litigation

Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has experience in all aspects of litigation that arise from the construction process, including scope of work issues, change orders, negligent design claims, defective workmanship claims, contract balance claims, acceleration claims and delay claims. Many owners/developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers have been successfully represented by the firm. Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has extensive experience with issues concerning federal and state contracts. The firm assists their clients in parallel areas of construction law, including contract negotiation, contract formation, and the adaptation of standard contracts. Many contracts have also been drafted for projects in order to meet the particular needs of our clients.

Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley represents owners/developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers in drafting and negotiating documents for their projects. The firm also routinely advises clients on insurance and surety issues such as insuring the Construction Project, obtaining and enforcing performance bonds and payment bonds and other related surety issues. We are also prepared to litigate insurance and surety bond cases on behalf of owners/developers, as well as contractors.

Business Litigation & Corporate Law

Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has represented businesses of all sizes in all types of matters. Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley’s reach allows clients’ businesses to be in a position to quickly and efficiently address issues whenever and wherever they may arise. The firm has represented corporations in various matters including but not limited to commercial real estate transactions, employer/employee related issues, contract interpretation, the acquisition of property, collection matters, negotiation of contracts and real estate related issues.

At Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley Law Firm, it is important for an artist to have a relationship with an entertainment attorney early in their career. This relationship allows an artist to obtain stellar advice on any matter from career direction to signing an important agreement with a major record label or production company. The firm counsels in the following areas:

Consulting with artist regarding different aspects of his/her career

Contract Review and Negotiation

Legal needs such as: forming a partnership or corporation, joining a union or performance rights society, or copyright and trademark issues

Other advice as needed

Our Clients:Entertainers, Artists, and TV Personalities *

Mike Adams, Denver Broncos

Gerald Hayes, Arizona Cardinals (retired)

Eric Downing, San Diego Chargers (retired)

Kendall Holt, Former WBO Junior Weight Champion

Producer Ty Fyffe

Recording Artist Ron Browz

Recording Artist West Philly Freck

Brenda Blackmon, Anchor, My9 News

Wendy Williams – Host of The Wendy Williams Show, Fox 5, New York Times Best Selling Author, and formerly WBLS Radio Personality

If you believe you have sustained a personal injury due to the fault or negligence of another, it is important to act immediately in order to preserve evidence and avoid the potential waiver of your claims. Even if you are not certain that you wish to initiate litigation, we recommend that you contact an attorney in order to learn about and preserve your rights. Our Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Group has lawyers with extensive experience in this area. We represent those injured in accidents and provide clients with an evaluation of their personal injuries including; Wrongful Death, Automobile Accidents, Malpractice, Products Liability, Head/Brain Injury or other injuries as a result of accidents.

Our lawyers are experienced in personal injury and medical malpractice cases in order to maximize the recovery for our clients. We know that it is important to understand your rights when attempting to seek legal redress. All work is performed in this area on a contingency basis and therefore the firm will not be entitled to a legal fee unless we are successful.

Family Law & Divorce

Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley has represented various clients in all types of contested and uncontested divorce matters, custody disputes, the equitable distribution of property, name change applications, child support claims, domestic violence/ Orders of Protection matters, crimes involving juveniles, visitation issues and other matters related to the family. Our approach is that of care and concern for our clients.

Founded in 1995, Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley was founded by three aspiring attorneys, Ronald C. Hunt, Raymond L. Hamlin and Terry Ridley. They first met when they were working at a small firm in Newark, NJ in the late 80's. (read more)